Henry Morgentaler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Morgentaler
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Henry Morgentaler (right) in August, 2005, with then NDP Leader Jack Layton
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| Born |
Heniek Morgentaler
March 19, 1923 |
| Died | May 29, 2013 (aged 90) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Doctor, activist |
| Spouse(s) |
Chava Rosenfarb
(m. 1945–1975) |
| Children | 2 |
Henry Morgentaler (March 19, 1923 – May 29, 2013) was a doctor from Canada. He was born in Poland. During World War II, he was held in concentration camps because he was Jewish.
After the war, Henry Morgentaler moved to Canada. He became a doctor and opened many clinics. He also trained other doctors.
In 2008, he received the Order of Canada. This award recognized his work to give women more choices for their healthcare. He also worked hard to change Canadian public policy. He was a leader in groups that supported human rights. Henry Morgentaler passed away at age 90 from a heart attack.
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Early Life and Survival
Henry Morgentaler was born in Łódź, Poland. His parents were Josef and Golda Morgentaler. Before World War II, his father was active in a Jewish workers' group.
When Germany took over Poland, Jewish people in Łódź were forced into a special area called a ghetto. They were not allowed to leave. Henry's father was killed by the Gestapo, which was Germany's secret police. Henry lived in the ghetto with his mother and younger brother. His sister was in the Warsaw Ghetto and fought in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. She was later killed.
In 1942, Henry, his mother, and his brother were found hiding. They were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Henry never saw his mother again; she was killed there. Henry and his brother were then sent to the Dachau concentration camp. They stayed there until the war ended.
Henry was freed by the U.S. Army in April 1945. He was 22 years old and weighed only 32 kilograms (about 70 pounds). He spent time in hospitals for displaced persons. Later, he and his brother moved to a camp for people who had lost their homes.
Life After the War
In 1946, Henry's brother moved to the United States. In 1947, Henry went to Brussels, Belgium. There, he met his friends, the Rosenfarbs, again. He and his fiancée, Chava Rosenfarb, were not allowed to stay in Belgium legally. They had to move to another country.
Henry and Chava got married in 1949. They left Europe in February 1950 and sailed to Canada.
The couple settled in Montréal. Chava continued her work as a writer. Their first child, Goldie, was born a few months later. Their second child was a son named Abraham. Henry and Chava later divorced in the mid-1970s.
Medical Career
Henry Morgentaler studied medicine at the Université de Montréal. He graduated in 1953. After becoming a Canadian citizen, he started working as a doctor in Montreal.
He began as a general doctor in 1955. Over time, he started to focus more on family planning. This included helping families plan when to have children. He also worked to provide women with more choices for their medical care.
Awards and Recognition
Henry Morgentaler was the first president of the Humanist Association of Canada (HAC). He led the group from 1968 to 1999. He remained an honorary president until he passed away. In 2008, the HAC gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1973, Morgentaler signed the second Humanist Manifesto. This was a statement of humanist beliefs. The American Humanist Association named him the 1975 Humanist of the Year.
In 2005, the University of Western Ontario gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This was his first honorary degree.
Also in 2005, he received the Couchiching Award for Public Policy Leadership. This award recognized his work for women's rights and health choices. The Canadian Labour Congress also honored him in 2008. They gave him their highest award for service to humanity.
In 2010, Morgentaler was nominated for a "Transformational Canadians" award. This award recognized people who greatly improved the lives of others.
Order of Canada
Henry Morgentaler was named a Member of the Order of Canada on July 1, 2008. This is one of Canada's highest civilian honors. He was recognized for helping women with healthcare choices. He also worked to change Canadian public policy and led groups that supported human rights.
Many people supported this award. Feminist writer Judy Rebick said he was a hero to millions of women. She said he risked his life to fight for women's rights.
However, some people disagreed with the decision. They felt his views on women's health choices were wrong. Some members of the Order of Canada even returned their awards in protest. These included a Roman Catholic priest and the Archbishop of Montreal.
Other Activities
Henry Morgentaler traveled across Canada to speak about women's health choices. He also raised money to support family planning. In 1972, he ran in the federal election as an independent candidate. He finished fourth in his riding.
In August 2011, Morgentaler attended the funeral of Jack Layton. Layton was the leader of the New Democratic Party.
In 1991, he took part in a debate about Humanism versus Christianity.
Media and Culture
Henry Morgentaler was featured in a 1984 documentary film. It was called Democracy on Trial: The Morgentaler Affair. The film was made by the National Film Board of Canada.
A famous cartoon from the Montreal Gazette newspaper once showed the Mayor of Montreal. The mayor had said that the Montreal Olympics could not have a deficit, just like a man cannot have a baby. After the 1976 Olympics lost a lot of money, the cartoonist drew the mayor looking pregnant and calling Morgentaler.
The alternative rock band Me Mom and Morgentaler was inspired by the doctor's name.
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